Trade Operations Specialist Location: Chester | Hybrid Working (5 Days Onsite Initially, reducing to 3 Days Onsite Once Established) Contract Length: 6-Month Initial Contract | Strong Extension Potential Pay Rate: £350 per day via umbrella We're recruiting for experienced Trade Operations Specialists to join a large-scale Trade Finance project within a global banking environment. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a high-profile migration programme, supporting the transfer of trade facilities, transactions and guarantees as part of a major business initiative.

This role would suit someone with a strong background in Trade Finance Operations, ideally with experience of Guarantees, Letters of Credit and wider trade products. If you're looking for a project-focused opportunity where you'll be able to take ownership, work with experienced stakeholders and make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

As a Trade Operations Specialist, you'll play a key role in supporting the migration of Trade Finance facilities and transactions between banking entities. You'll be responsible for reviewing documentation, validating data, updating records and ensuring migration activities are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.

Working closely with operational teams, AML colleagues and wider stakeholders, you'll help ensure the successful delivery of a critical business programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Review Trade Finance facilities, transactions and guarantees
• Conduct preliminary operational and documentation checks
• Validate client, transaction and facility data
• Review and interpret legal and operational documentation
• Update and maintain records across internal systems
• Support migration activities within Loan IQ
• Identify and investigate discrepancies and exceptions
• Liaise with operational stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently
• Ensure all activities are completed in line with regulatory and operational requirements
• Work to demanding deadlines while maintaining high levels of accuracy

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Proven experience within Trade Finance Operations
• Strong understanding of Trade Finance products
• Experience of Letters of Credit, Guarantees or related Trade products
• Ability to review and interpret operational and legal documentation
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

Highly Desirable

• Experience with Loan IQ
• Direct experience of Bank Guarantees
• Trade migration, remediation or transformation project experience

Beneficial

• KYC and AML knowledge
• Supply Chain Finance experience
• Previous experience within a banking or financial services environment

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, unfortunately, your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we may retain your details for any future suitable vacancies and contact you accordingly.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention